Wise Choices' Recommendations for Youth

Dating Declassified: The Uncensored Truth About Dating, Friendship, and Sex By Jeanne Mayo Parents, youth leaders, and teachers will find this an invaluable resource for teaching moral behavior to teens. Beyond just a system of "do's" and "don'ts" (which teens are likely to ignore), Jeanne gets to the heart of the matter by showing the why. For this generation, the why is what counts.

The Dirt on Sex, repackaged edition By Justin Lookadoo Sex is not something that is kept hush hush anymore, sex is everywhere. Justin Lookadoo gives you answers to questions you've always wanted to ask but have been too emabarassed. It's real. It's raw. It's true. It's the Dirt on Sex Repackaged edition.

Dateable: Are You? Are They? By Justin Lookadoo & Hayley Morgan If you think you're clueless about the opposite sex, you won't be once you read Dateable. We've got stuff on them they never wanted you to know. It'll be like you're a fly on the wall of the locker room listening in on all the conversations you've always wanted to hear. We expose the inside world of guys and girls in this tell-all book. Don't try dating without first being Dateable.

The Naked Truth: About Sex, Love and Relationships By Lakita Garth Everybody's doing it-aren't they? Why shouldn't I have sex now? In a world where it seems like "everybody's doing it," why should you say no to sex? Internationally known abstinence advocate and sought-after speaker Lakita Garth wants you to know that when you practice abstinence, you are making a decision that will change the course of your life. Here, she frankly and humorously shares her principles for staying pure until marriage, while equipping you with the life skills necessary to be responsible and successful. In The Naked Truth, you'll understand the principles of self-control, self-discipline, delayed gratification and how to achieve your dreams. You'll be ready to establish healthy dating relationships and clearly defined boundaries for physical intimacy, while gaining self-respect and dignity. Why wait? Because you're worth it!

Culture Shock: A Survival Guide for Teens By Generations of Virtue Many teens are swept away by the tumultuous waves of contemporary culture. This cutting-edge guide anchors them in the truth to help them stand firm against the tide! A Bible study, journaling space, quizzes, testimonies, prayer prompts, and discussion questions equip students to commit to purity in heart, mind, and body as they grow in Christ. 144 pages, softcover from Standard.

For Young Women Only By Shaunti Feldhahn The mystery of guys is unraveled in this book just for young women. Find out just how a guy thinks and what he might be thinking about you as you delve into the male psyche to better understand the opposite sex. In an "ask the expert" style, you'll find answers to why they are so visually stimulated, what he really wants to tell you and much more! A national scientific survey and in-depth discussion provide an exceptional understanding about the male mind so you can feel more comfortable around guys by knowing more about them.

For Young Men Only: A Guy's Guide to the Alien Gender By Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice with Shaunti Feldhahn Research shows that most teenage girls care more about inner qualities than looks, money, or popularity in the boys they're attracted to. Those inner qualities include a sense of humor, a love for adventure, thoughtfulness, and (for those with religious convictions) a genuine faith. Of course--as you might expect with adolescent girls--the picture gets more complicated from there--a lot more! Teen girls also admit a strong attraction to "bad boys," and will sometimes put up with disrespectful, hurtful treatment from "bad boys" if the relationship gives them a sense of security. They agree that intimacy, especially sexual intimacy, with a boy comes with strings attached no matter what the girls say before, during, or after. They believe that their apparently random emotional patterns make perfect sense...and think guys should care enough to figure them out. Thankfully, For Young Men Only arrives with humor, insight, and practical solutions for the beleagured reader Feldhahn and Rice call, "Our hero, Average Joe."

Wait for Me: Rediscovering the Joy of Purity in Romance By Rebecca St. James Everyone longs to be loved deeply by someone, as Rebecca St. James makes so clear in her hit song "Wait for Me." In this book of the same name, she paints an appealing picture of the value of remaining sexually pure until marriage using Scripture, pop culture and her own experience as a point of reference. She also reaches out with compassion to those who have already made mistakes, relating the mercy and healing that God brings. The new edition of this bestseller includes a fresh introduction from Rebecca, journaling sections throughout the book and a study guide for personal or group use.

Every Young Man, God's Man: Confident, Courageous, and Completely His By Stephen Arterburn, Kenny Luck & Mike Yorkey Teenage boys and young men can successfully navigate the minefields of peer pressure, hormones, parents, and popular culture---with God's help! Arterburn confronts the self-deceptive, self-sabotaging practices that so often snare young adults---and offers an alternative vision for tomorrow's courageous, confident, committed believers. Includes workbook for individuals or groups. 304 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle: Creative Conversations About Sexual and Emotional Integrity By Shannon Ethridge Recognizing how awkward it can be to confront the topic of sex, author Shannon Ethridge guides you and your daughter through enjoyable yet memorable discussions about sexuality, purity, and dating - leading to a deeper understanding of and appreciation for God's standards. Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman's Battle provides creative tools that will give you the confidence to talk openly and honestly with your daughter, encouraging her to live a lifetime of sexual and emotional integrity. Paperback.

Wise Choices' Recommendations for Parents

Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex Is Affecting Our Children By Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., M.D. & Freda McKissic Bush, M.D. / Moody Publishers Scientific research shows how sexual activity releases brain chemicals that trigger emotional bonding and a powerful desire to repeat the activity. Today's young adults have discovered that "hooking up" is easy and addictive. Offering a Christian "philosophy of sexuality," Drs. McIlhaney and Bush help parents and singles understand why "safe sex" isn't safe at all. Hardcover.

For Parents Only: Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid By Shaunti Feldhahn / Multnomah Publishers, Inc. For Parents Only helps parents understand how their teen or pre-teen child is wired and how to give that child what he or she needs. Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa Rice free parents to communicate in healthier ways as they discover that understanding their kids may not be as complicated as they think.

A Chicken's Guide to Talking Turkey with Your Kids About Sex By Dr. Kevin Leman & Kathy Flores Bell / Zondervan Even the bravest parents feel timid about discussing sex with their 8- to 14-year-olds! In A Chicken's Guide to Talking Turkey With Your Kids About Sex, Leman and Bell offer reassuring, humorous, real-life anecdotes along with reliable information to help you with this parenting task. Prepare yourself to talk about "firsts" (shave, bra, school dance, etc.); appropriate friendships with the opposite sex; dangers such as STDs, unplanned pregnancies, and rape; and more. Paperback.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts By Gary Chapman / Northfield Press Marriages may be made in heaven, but they must be nurtured here on earth. In this new paperback edition of Dr. Gary Chapman's bestselling book, The Five Love Languages, he explains how people communicate love in different ways, and shares the wonderful things that happen when men and women learn to speak each other's language. Chapters are categorized by love language and each one ends with simple steps to express a specific language to your spouse and guide your marriage in the right direction. Paperback. A Focus on the Family recommendation.

Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity By Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker with Mike Yorkey / Random House, Inc It's never easy to talk to your sons about sex but now there's help from the authors behind the Every Man series! Offering spiritual and biblical insights, this resource will help you initiate natural conversations that will encourage young men to stand strong, overcome temptation, and experience the blessings of godly obedience. Paperback.

From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage By Dr. Gary Smalley & Ted Cunningham / Gospel Light Anger: it's a God-given emotion that can prove devilish within any marriage. With the expert guidance of Smalley and Cunningham, you'll discover how responding positively to provocation can transform your relationship - and your lives. Learn about healthy conflict resolution; three essentials of forgiveness; crafting the perfect apology; healing after an affair; and more. Hardcover.

Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences By Bill & Pam Farrel / Harvest House Publishers With a chapter like "Hot Waffles and Simmering Marinara" that discusses conflict, you know you're in for a tasty treat. In a refreshingly humorous way, the authors examine the differences between the sexes in the context of love, sex, parenting and more. Through plenty of practical applications, couples will gain a more fulfilling romantic relationship, a better understanding of each other and learn how to coordinate parenting so kids get consistent care.

Love and Respect for a Lifetime, Gift Edition By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs / Thomas Nelson In the popular book, Love & Respect, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs showed couples how to have a happier and more fulfilling marriage by learning the different communication styles of men and women. Women absolutely need love and men absolutely need respect. It's that simple. In this new illustrated gift book edition, husbands and wives will find important excerpts from the book that offer effective keys for talking to, thinking about, and treating each other in a way that God intended. Included are stories sharing how couples who were once without hope now enjoy fulfilling relationships. Makes a perfect gift for couples of all ages. Compiled by Terri Gibbs. Hardcover.

staff picks
for parents
for kids
for teens
wise choices